Former Ekiti Central senator Babafemi Ojudu has expressed his uncertainty about which presidential candidate to vote for in the 2027 election. In an essay titled "Big Jeeps, Small Ideas: Nigeria's Politics of Mediocrity," Ojudu stated that he has yet to hear a convincing explanation from any aspirant on how they plan to address Nigeria's pressing problems. As a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ojudu emphasized that his vote must be based on more than personal affection or party affiliation.
Ojudu criticized Nigeria's current politics, describing it as "crowded with personalities and starved of sustained engagement with ideas." He noted that many aspirants can explain who they must defeat more convincingly than what they intend to build. According to Ojudu, opposition to the incumbent is not a viable agenda, and incumbency is not an ideology. He contrasted this with the Second Republic, where parties offered identifiable programs, citing Obafemi Awolowo's Unity Party of Nigeria and its four cardinal programs.
Ojudu referenced the National Party of Nigeria's Green Revolution and low-cost housing under the slogan "One Nation, One Destiny." He also mentioned Aminu Kano, who gave political expression to the aspirations of the talakawa through the Northern Elements Progressive Union and the Peoples Redemption Party. Ojudu questioned how many who claim to inherit these political legacies accept their intellectual obligations to continue their predecessors' work.
While acknowledging that presidential contenders in 2023 had presented policy documents, Ojudu argued that these documents often recede into the background after their launch. He cited Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi as examples of aspirants who presented manifestos. However, Ojudu emphasized that a manifesto should guide a campaign, discipline a government, and give citizens a basis for judging performance between elections.
As the incumbent president, Ojudu believes that Bola Tinubu bears a particular responsibility to explain his record and the case for continuing his administration. He asked several questions, including what has improved, what has fallen short, and what changes citizens can expect in the future. Ojudu also emphasized the need for presidential aspirants to provide clear explanations on national unity, citing deep ethnic, religious, and regional mistrust.
Ojudu used the recent donation of seven new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs to APC youth leaders as an example of the politics of mobilization over ideas. He questioned how this investment serves a substantive engagement with citizens and what commitments the occupants will explain to ordinary citizens struggling with everyday challenges. Ojudu proposed that each major contender present five central commitments, explain their funding, and publish a timetable.
Finally, Ojudu emphasized that the opposition has an equally serious obligation to present a coherent alternative government. He called on aspirants to present programs that are clear, substantial, and precise enough to be debated and judged. Until then, Ojudu stated that he will not decide on a presidential candidate, and the expensive vehicles will continue to pose an uncomfortable question about where they intend to take Nigeria.
Key points
- Ojudu wants presidential aspirants to present clear policy explanations.
- He criticizes Nigeria's politics as being personality-driven rather than idea-based.
- Ojudu proposes that aspirants present five central commitments with clear funding and timelines.
